A day after the international smuggling gang was caught with two baby orangutans near Eluru, it was learnt that two of the five gang members fled with the animals. The Hindu reported the rescue of the species by the police on June 21.
The police, as per sources, could manage into custody a five-member gang along with two baby orangutans in a cage near Eluru on June 17. A picture of the endangered animals had been taken and sent to forest officials and the Wildlife Research Institute, Dehradun, for the identification of the exotic species. By the time the confirmation came within hours, the gang could manage to flee, according to a source.
Sensitive pricey species
Wildlife researchers say that orangutans are sensitive species which should be protected with special care in foreign locations like India. Besides, they need to be given high fat milk during infancy. “Going by the picture, they are 6-7 month-old babies. Heavy price in smuggling markets, ranging from Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 lakh for each animal, is triggering illegal trade,” said a wildlife researcher.
On a tip-off from the Eluru police, the Krishna District forest officials came across the gang carrying two baby orangutans and tried to intercept the vehicle at Ibrahimpatnam. However, the gang sped away without stopping the vehicle on the Vijayawada outskirts and the police along with the forest officials traced it at Jaggaiahpet.
Police said that two of the gang members managed to escape along with the animals. When contacted, West Godavari district Superintendent of Police Bhaskar Bushan said the Chebrolu police have registered a case and are investigating. He, however, clarified that no animals have been rescued and the police are questioning the suspects in the case.
When contacted, Krishna District Superintendent of Police G. Vijaya Kumar confirmed that they intercepted a vehicle along with a gang of animal smugglers at Jaggaiahpet and handed them over to the West Godavari for further investigation.
The police deputed special teams to Hyderabad, Guntur, Kolkata and other places to find from where the smugglers gang got the animals and whether the gang has links with national and international smugglers followed by other details. A burqa-clad woman, among the gang members, escaped from the vehicle at Jaggaiahpet and the police are on the look out for her. It is given to understand that the accused had revealed that they procured the animals from a person in Odisha and are trying to shift them to the neighbouring State for sale.
Forest officials said the researchers from Wildlife Research Institute Dehradun confirmed that animals were of endangered species. “If the animals are left in wild, there are less chances of their survival,” said a senior official.
